Chapter 10

Promptly at five, as had been requested, Harry arrived at Longbottom Manor, and was greeted at the door by a house ef, who introduced herself as Twinkle. She showed him through to the lounge, where Neville was waiting with Augusta.

Grinning, Neville leapt up from his seat when he saw Harry, and they shared a tight embrace, before Neville stepped back still holding onto Harry's arms. "Sounds like you've had a busy summer so far, Harry."

Laughing, Harry nodded his head. "You've got no idea, mate."

He moved around his friend to greet Madam Longbottom formally, but she hushed him and allowed him to kiss her cheek. She led Harry and Neville to the dining room, where the table had already been set for three.

When they were seated, Augusta looked at Harry with undisguised curiosity. "Harry, you mentioned yesterday that you should have been brought up side by side with my Neville, and the letter I received from Bludaxe corroborated your statement. Will you explain why that didn't happen?" she asked, her head tilted just slightly. "If you don't mind sharing, of course."

"I don't mind," Harry assured her. "I told you yesterday that Alice and Frank were listed as secondary guardians if Sirius was unable to take me? Since my parents died before," he glanced at Neville apologetically, "before Alice and Frank were attacked, I should have already been placed with them." He paused for a sip of water. "Headmaster Dumbledore had me removed from my parent's home the same night they were killed, and took me to the residence of my mother's Muggle sister and her husband. Since they despise magic, it wasn't a great fit."

Augusta's eyebrows rose. "He purposefully violated a magical will?" Harry nodded his head. She looked horrified at the very idea of it. "You know you can have him charged with that? It's a terrible thing to do to anyone, let alone leaving a child to deal with the consequences."

"Alex, my solicitor, has told me as much, but we believe he'll be able to talk himself out of it. I'm sure you must have noticed the Headmaster's particular talent at manipulating most situations to his liking?" Harry offered with a tight smile. He swallowed hard, and then decided to just lay his cards on the table. He knew he was taking a risk, but Neville had never given Harry any reason to doubt him, and Augusta had been nothing but nice to him. "At the moment, there are a lot of things going on in the background in regards to the Headmaster. Some of the things he's done are unconscionable, but it's taking a while to get all of the dominos stacked, and truly, the Headmaster isn't actually our biggest worry at the moment."

She stared at him for a minute, looking thoughtful. "Everything you have on him has been proven true? With evidence?"

Harry nodded. "Stacks of it. The goblins have been a massive help, and they file everything."

She chuckled, nodding her head. "That is correct, they do. It's useful though, especially when they're on your side."

"And your plan for Voldemort?" she asked, looking shrewd now.

"We don't have a solid plan against him, for the moment," Harry admitted. "The prophet we fought for at the Ministry, which coincidentally was made to Albus Dumbledore, stated that one of us must kill the other. Whether that makes me the Chosen One or not, I'll fight for what I believe in, and I believe that the world will never be free while he exists. What Dumbledore, and others, are failing to realise though is that even if it is fated that I'll deal him the final blow, he's not immune to injuries from others. My immediate plan is to try and make people see that they can and should fight for their own freedom."

Harry sighed. "I'm in the process of hiring tutors in all kinds of magic to make sure I'm ready when the moment comes, but until then, we can only plan for contingencies. I've recently had some rather large blocks taken off my magic, and have been training with that as well."

"So when I said busy," Neville asked, smirking slightly.

"Understatement," Harry agreed.

"Given that you're clearly not on the side of Voldemort, but also do not seem to be on the side of Dumbledore, who's side are you on?" Augusta asked, sitting back in her seat slightly.

"Freedom," Harry replied with a shrug. "I don't believe that 'light' or 'dark' should win. Magic is magic, and I believe that people of any inclination should be able to live freely providing they're not hurting anyone else. I don't like the idea that there should be a side that prevails, and anyone even remotely associated with the other side demonised or shunned."

"So the grey area in between?" she offered.

"I suppose, if we were to need a classification, then grey is as good as any," Harry agreed. "Though by the end of this, I'm hoping that taking sides will be a thing of the past to learn from but not repeat."

She nodded, and then looked at Neville. "What say you, Neville? You'll be the Head of the Family in less than a year, after all, it is as much your decision as mine."

"A Longbottom will always have a Potter's back," Neville replied, voice soft but firm. "Even without that, I will always stand by Harry."

Harry smiled at him across the table, even as Augusta nodded her head. "There you have it, Lord Potter-Black. We have an alliance, and you have our full allegiance, in this, or any battle you should face in the future. Now, shall we eat?"

"Thank you," Harry said softly, feeling a little overwhelmed. "Both of you. Before this summer, I often felt like I was alone, even when I was surrounded by people. Since my birthday, since I learned of my heritage, I've gained so much support and it can be quite… overwhelming at times. I have to pinch myself to be sure I haven't just dreamed it all."

"As you learn and grow, you're turning into a young man that people want to support and follow, Harry. Just don't ever stop learning or growing, and you'll be just fine."

He nodded, even as she called for Twinkle to serve them dinner. When their plates were full, she regarded him again.

"Why don't you tell us a little more about these blocks on your magic?"

Harry chuckled, but nodded, and began explaining what the goblins had found during their scan, and after, a few of the other discoveries they'd made in Gringotts. From there, they moved to easier topics, such as the new school year, and who the new Defence teacher was going to be.

Harry relaxed into the conversation, pleased that he'd added two more people to those that he could count to be there when he needed them, and he vowed to himself that he'd always be there to return the favour.

…

Harry arrived back at Alex's around ten, finding both Alex and Sirius sitting in the living room. Sirius had his head buried in a book, while Alex seemed to be reading through yet more paperwork.

Harry wondered if he ever got a break.

"How did it go?" Alex asked, looking up and smiling at him.

"It was good," Harry replied, curling up in an armchair. "It feels like they're on our side, though Augusta did warn me just before I left that she'd not above slapping me upside the head if I do something stupid."

Alex chuckled. "She does seem the type."

Sirius nodded, dropping his book to his lap. "She really is. I remember one summer, James and I went to visit Frank, and she chased us around the Manor with a broom because we broke one of her favourite vases."

Harry snorted.

"I'm glad the risk paid off," Alex said with a small smile. "The Longbottoms are good people to have onside, and it'll be nice for you to perhaps gain some of that Grandmotherly affection from her."

"My family is such a mish-mash," Harry muttered, but he was grinning. That he had people he could count as family at all was a wonder.

Sirius pointed to an open envelope on the table. "Remus will be here in the morning at ten. We're still undecided on telling him about me," he added sadly. "We're going to have to play it by ear. If need be, we can Obliviate him."

Harry could tell Sirius was sad that he might have to Obliviate his old friend, and he wrinkled his nose. "Hopefully it won't come to that. Remus won't let you down, Sirius."

"I hope you're right, kiddo."

"Fudge sent a message today about a meeting at the cafe in the Alley," Alex said, changing the subject. "I sent one back saying you can meet him on Wednesday at noon, before your meeting with Rita at three."

"You're just about the slow torture, aren't you?" Harry asked, pouting slightly. "Fudge and Rita in one day? Just give me to Voldemort and be done, Alex, it's less cruel."

Laughing, Alex shook his head. "Snape will be here tomorrow as well, to see about giving you some defence training during the school year. I spoke to him not long before you came in. You can be here for the meeting if you want, since it's about your training?"

Harry nodded. "Did he tell you how he found out about Sirius?"

They both stared at him, alarmed, and Harry realised that he hadn't actually said anything.

"Uh. Oops?"

"I think you need to explain, Harry," Alex said, frowning.

"He's not going to say anything," Harry rushed to explain. "He just wants to know how it happened. When we were in the restaurant, he'd been scanning surface thoughts around us to make sure that there were no threat, and he caught a glance at 'Stephen's' mind." Harry smiled and looked at Sirius. "He actually told me to ask you to help me train with Transfiguration, because you excelled in it at school."

Sirius' jaw dropped. "He… paid me a compliment?"

Harry nodded, laughing.

"Hell just got real cold," Sirius muttered to himself, making Harry laugh more. Even Alex chuckled, though he still looked mildly concerned.

"It's okay, Alex. I might not always get on with him, but I do trust him, as much as I can trust anyone, I suppose. He seems as done with the Headmaster as we are."

Alex twisted his lips, but nodded. "Okay. In future, I need to know about things like this straight away, okay?"

Sheepishly, Harry nodded. "I meant to tell you this morning, and forgot. I'll do better in the future, I promise."

"Hmkay. You're doing really well, Harry," Alex said, softening. "I think we're all guilty of forgetting that you're only sixteen, and you're fighting so many battles on so many fronts, it's more than most grown adults could handle. Just… remember that you have people you can lean on, okay?"

Harry nodded and smiled a little. "Okay."

…

It was a nervous Remus Lupin that Alex showed into the living room the next morning. Harry was curled up in the armchair he'd basically claimed as his own, reading the journal he's started the night before.

He looked up when he heard them enter the living room and slipped a bookmark into the page, before he closed the book and put it on the arm of the chair.

He stood up, holding his hand out to Remus, who took it between both of his own with a shaky smile.

"It's nice to see you, Remus," he murmured, as they released their hands. Harry gestured to the seat across from his own as he sat back down, while Alex perched himself on the arm of Harry's chair.

Remus sat on the edge of the chair, his elbows on his knees as he leant forwards, his hands clasped together tightly in front of him.

"Harry, I… I am so sorry. I should have done more to help you. I should have…" he shook his head. "I should have done a lot of things, but as your parent's friend, I should have checked and I didn't and I let them down. I let you down. I can't go back and change what I did and didn't do, but if… I know I don't deserve it, but if… if you can forgive me, I'll do whatever I can to make it up to you in the future."

Tears were streaming down his cheeks, and Harry's heart went out to him. He felt Alex tap his back and nodded just slightly in agreement.

"Remus, there's nothing to forgive," Harry offered softly. "You didn't know where Dumbledore had placed me, I know you didn't. As for everything else… Well, nobody knew about any of it."

Remus opened his mouth, but Harry just shook his head, wandlessly conjuring a box of tissues that levitated over to him.

"There's something you need to know about, but I'm going to need you to make an oath of secrecy before I tell you."

Remus didn't even hesitate, reaching for his wand. "I, Remus John Lupin, swear on my magic that I will not communicate to anyone not in this house whatever Lord Harry James Potter-Black is about to inform me of. So say I, so mote it be."

A flash of light signalled an acceptance of the vow, and Harry nodded his head. Alex left the room, patting Harry's shoulder as he did. Not knowing how to tell Remus the truth without just blurting it out, Harry did just that.

"Remus, Sirius is alive."

Remus stared at him for a long moment, before he shook his head. "That's not possible, Harry. We saw it, we were right there. He fell through the veil! I saw it! He was—" Remus broke off as Alex returned with Sirius just a step behind him.

He jumped out of his seat, backing away until his back hit the wall. "Harry, if this is some joke, or a wild attempt at revenge—"

Harry bit back a gasp, hurt that Remus could think him capable of such a thing. Remembering his own reaction, he realised that Remus was scared that what he was seeing wasn't real, and he knew he couldn't hold it against the wolf.

"I know you have a crush on Tonks," Sirius said softly, pausing his steps when he was in the middle of the room, leaving some space between them. "I know about your furry little problem, and that you lost your virginity in the Prefect's bathroom when you were sixteen." Harry chuckled when he saw Remus' cheeks flush pink. "Do I need to continue?" Sirius asked.

Remus stared at him for a long moment and then shook his head. He crossed the space between them in three steps, and threw his arms around him, hugging him tightly. Alex returned to the arm of Harry's chair, and the two of them smiled at one another at the reunion between the two old friends.

"I'm glad we told him," Harry murmured to Alex, who nodded his head.

"Me too. I think Sirius needed this."

Harry agreed. It had been amazing having his godfather around all the time, but he knew that Sirius couldn't live his life in hiding, or only for Harry. He needed to have his own things going on as well, or he'd go mad.

When they eventually parted, Remus immediately looked at Harry. "I'm sorry I accused you of—"

Harry cut him off. "It's fine. I think I'd have killed Bludaxe if Alex hadn't been there to tell me to get a grip of my magic. I get that it was unexpected."

They sat down and spent an hour catching Remus up on what had happened; with Harry, with Sirius, and their various plans that were slowly coming together. Before he left, Harry handed him a trunk, making a mental note to buy a few more. He'd given Neville one before leaving Longbottom Manor, much to the joy of Augusta, who was glad that she'd be able to see his grandson throughout the school year.

They gave him a quick tour and after Sirius promised to visit him later in the evening, Remus left much happier than he'd been when he arrived.

"Snape is due in about an hour," Alex reminded them, as Harry picked his book back up.

Harry nodded. "I know." He looked at Sirius. "Did you add the charms to Grimmauld Place?"

"I did. It seems a half-blood taking ownership made my mother remember exactly how to remove herself, because when I arrived, the frame of her portrait was on the ground and she was nowhere to be seen."

Harry snorted. "Good. Was there anything unfamiliar in the house?"

"Not that I could see, but I stayed under the Invisibility cloak the entire time I was there anyway, just in case. I wouldn't put it past Mad-Eye at the very least to have some sort of spying spells in place. He doesn't trust anyone."

Alex nodded. "I've represented him before in court, and he is a character."

Laughing, Harry could only agree. Even if he hadn't spent much time with him, he knew what the man was like.

"I'll send Dumbledore a letter telling him that they can now floo into the house. I'll make sure to outline that they are to keep the place clean, and that as the rightful owner of the house, if they try to hide it from you, I'll have them in court before they can even say Order of the Phoenix."

"The listening charms will make a full copy of any meetings, and they'll be stored in a listening device that we can make use of anytime," Sirius added. "I've also added a subtle registry spell to the door and the fireplace, so we can see who is coming and going."

"You're both awesome," Harry said, shaking his head.

"I'm going to go and relax in the bath and then start organising my trunk," Sirius said, reaching over to ruffle Harry's hair. "Snape might have complimented me, but I'm not sure it's a good thing for us to be in the same room together for long."

And really, Harry couldn't argue.

…

Snape arrived precisely on time, as they'd known he would, the fireplace chiming to alert Alex of his presence. Alex greeted him with a friendly handshake.

"Mr Jackson," Snape said, shaking his hand firmly.

"Please, call me Alex," Alex requested, as he dropped his hand.

"Then you should call me Severus," Snape returned. He glanced at Harry, who'd looked up from his book. "Potter."

"Professor," Harry greeted with a small smile before he looked back down at the journal. This was Alex's meeting after all, he'd only been included as a courtesy.

"Shall we get down to business then," Alex offered, gesturing to the sitting room. "I'm sure you're a busy man during the summer."

Snape nodded and the two of them sat down. Alex had a pile of parchment on the table, both with contracts if Snape agreed to teach Harry, and plain, in case he had to make any notes. He handed over the contract first.

"We're aware that you're one of the strongest fighters in the middle of this war," Alex said delicately, making no mention of what side Snape was on, Harry noticed. "Harry needs instruction in learning to fight. He doesn't need to know formal duelling, that can come later at University if he chooses to pursue it, but I don't imagine that anyone on the battlefield is going to be bowing to their opponents."

Snape nodded, his eyes tracing over the contract. "This is quite a generous offer."

Alex nodded. "When you want the best, then you pay for the best. That's common sense. What we need to know is if you're comfortable teaching Harry fighting spells, of course, but also every possible dirty trick and underhanded spell that he's going to need if he's going to succeed and survive this war."

"You don't want him to learn the Dark Arts, surely?"

"We don't think he'll need it," Alex said with a shrug. "His power levels are such that even simple spells can be turned deadly with the right mentality. We just have doubts that Mr Riddle will uphold tradition as far as duelling goes, and Harry needs to know how to fight against it."

"You're expecting a full scale war," Snape surmised. "With multiple battles?"

"We're preparing for anything," Alex replied. "At the moment, we're fighting politically and publically, but when Harry goes back to school in a few weeks, much of that will have to be put on hold by necessity. It's best he trains for every eventual outcome while he has the time."

"Very well," Snape said after a pause. "I'll teach you, Potter."

Harry looked up from his book. "Thank you, Sir."

"You know I will be an exacting teacher, perhaps even more so that I am in the Potions classroom?"

"I expect little else," Harry replied softly. "That's why we asked; I need someone that isn't afraid to push me, or worried that they're going to offend 'Lord Potter-Black.' You've never cared about any of that."

Snape nodded, and accepted the contract from Alex, signing his name with a flourish. Alex duplicated it and offered Severus the copy. The original would be filed with Gringotts, so that they could arrange for the payments to be made at the appropriate times.

"You're creating your own side to the war?" Snape asked then, looking between them curiously.

Harry glanced at Alex who shrugged. Sighing, Harry said "Not… as such," with a grimace. "Though it does seem to be unintentionally turning into that."

Snape frowned. "Explain."

"We didn't go into this trying to create a third side to an already damaging war," Harry said, shaking his head. "But I seem to be collecting people who decide they want to align themselves with me, and it's turning into a third side whether we wanted it to or not. Eventually, I'm going to be forced to fight him."

"Which 'him'?" Alex and Snape asked simultaneously, and Harry laughed.

"That sums my life up in two words, doesn't it? Both of them, I suppose, but I was referring to Riddle. And since he's going to keep coming after me even if I don't pursue him, then I suppose, at present, yes, we're a third side to the war."

He shook his head. "You have to understand, Professor, that to me, freedom is the most important thing right now. If the Dark win, it means torture and pain for all of those that oppose them, but if Dumbledore and his Order of the Barmy Chicken win, then it means anyone that even has an inclination to darkness is going to be shunned from society, and I'm just not really about either option."

"So… you fit in the grey area?" Snape asked, and Harry couldn't help but smile.

"Lady Longbottom asked the same question. I guess, yes, we're going into this as the Grey side."

"Then I am in," Snape said. "This war, the split through the Wizarding World, has gone on for long enough, and I would like to see an end to it. Obviously this cannot be known to anyone other than those you trust with your life and mine. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir," Harry replied, bowing his head. "Nobody untrained in Occlumency will know of you being any part of our… organisation?"

"It's as good a word as any, I suppose," Alex replied, a wry smile on his lips. "You do keep things interesting, Harry."

"I try," Harry replied, rolling his eyes.

"Try what?" Sirius asked, walking into the room. He paused by the door when he realised Snape was still there.

There was a tense pause, and then Snape sighed.

"Black."

"Snape," Sirius returned with a nod.

For the two of them, it was practically neutral, and Harry shared a quick glance with Alex, who looked like he was trying not to laugh at the awkwardness between the two childhood enemies.

They stared at each other for a long moment, and Harry was about to say something—anything to break the weird silence—when Sirius held his hand out. Harry felt his eyes widen as Snape shook it briefly after only a moment's hesitation.

"I must take my leave, before I am missed," Snape said, stepping back towards the fireplace. "Potter, you mentioned your trunk when we spoke a few nights ago. What is the password to the floo?"

"Actually, Sir," Harry said, leaning over the side of the chair. "I have a trunk here for you, too. You can add whoever you want to the ledger if you wish, but please nobody who is not part of our… thing. Organisation? That still feels weird. But anyway, the only people who can access the floo are people on the ledger that's by the fireplace. Mine and Alex's names are already on it, but that's it."

He handed the trunk over to Snape, who accepted it with delicate hands, placing it carefully in his pocket. He glanced back at Sirius.

"I'll add your name tonight, mutt, but any pranks and I'll cut off your tail and feed it to you. Potter, be in your trunk alone, or solely with people you trust absolutely, at ten pm on the night you return to the castle."

He nodded his head at the three of them before he stepped through the floo.

Harry glanced at Alex. "That seemed like it went well?"

"Better than expected," Alex agreed.

They both turned to look at Sirius, who was staring at the place Snape had just seconds ago departed from with a pained look on his face.

"That was just cruel," he whined, rubbing a hand over his backside.

Laughter filled the room as Harry and Alex glanced at one another. Idiot.